This lady appeared on Thursday. She is heading in the direction of the faces in my head I talked about yesterday. In the interests of full disclosure I am including the image that inspired her; as you will see it’s pretty similar. I’ve loved the Maria Pace Wynters painting below for ages ~ colours, composition, style, elements ~ and wanted to understand with my own hand how to capture that kind of loose but powerful image. I didn’t set out to copy it as such, but in the end I did use her painting to inform how and where I put colour down, mainly for the face.
So here is Maria Pace Wynters’ visual feast, titled ‘The Spanish Poppy’:
And here is a step by step of my version, which I’ve called ‘Drama Queen’ as it just popped into my head and seemed fitting:
I taped some of my lovely new A3 360gsm paper to my desk and started with a rough sketch.
I used the principle I saw on the Agnes-Cecile video of working from light to dark; it makes total sense and puts certain paintings I’ve done in the past into a new perspective {ie. ohhhhhh, so THAT’S why it didn’t work!}! I realise this is probably one of those fundamentals of painting that just passed me by…
I had totally forgotten how liberating painting on paper is; psychologically I can be freer because it’s not as ‘important’ as a canvas. And while I’m trying out new things it allows me to do so without feeling they must all be perfect. That, people, is progress. Not to mention that when you take the pressure off, lo! The paintings seem to come out better!
I did have to go back in and completely redo her eyes; she was so cross eyed! I think it’s better now but the painting doesn’t seem to photograph as well as it looks in actual real life.
Anyway, here she is:
I may add some further details but I’m happy with her as she is for now. Very happy actually. Yay.
oh, i’m all for the copycat bit when you’re learning something…i’ve been doing that as i’m trying to learn how to draw horses “properly” — you know, just so i can continue doing my own stylized versions…..:) i think of it as training my eye/brain/hand how to get the desired effect. so i’m using a “how to draw horses book” and copying the examples there.
scandalous, i know.
i know a lot of folk get their petticoats in a ruffle over the whole “copying art” stuff which i think is patently ridiculous seeing as how learning ANYTHING is done by mimicry….it’s, you know, human nature….:P and it’s not like i’m planning on selling the sketches i made on index cards of horse’s eyes and ears….grrrrr.
i would invite them to take their righteous indignation with them as they piss off to go create in the inspirational vacuum which they clearly believe exists.
oops…
*steps away from soapbox*
gorgeous painting…and as always, love reading about your process….
xo
Oh, Tara she’s gorgeous! You did a superbly spectacular job. Thank you for not only showing pictures of your process but sharing your thoughts and lessons as you went a long.
Your painting is fantastic… i LOVE her orange poofy hair. 🙂
And that video was amazing. Wow. The woman has guts – both the painter and the painted.
Thanks for introducing her – i didn’t know of her before this! (another thing i love about blogging)
Have yourself a great Sunday, Tara! xoxo
I LOVE your drama queen! She has a look of one of Gustave Klimt’s women about her …
Thanks for sharing her art, it’s GORGEOUS!! And I love your painting that was inspired by her! Wonderful!
xoEsther
Hi Esther, thank you so much stopping by and leaving your thoughts. I have been enjoying diving into your blog and looking at your delicious textural paintings. Gorgeous! It’s great to ‘meet’ you here. 🙂